A round up of all the news from Europe's royal houses for the week ending February 15th 2014...
Belgium
The Belgian royal house announced the engagement of Prince Amadeo on February 15th 2014. The prince, eldest son of Princess Astrid, is to marry his girlfriend Lili Rosboch although no date has yet been set for the ceremony.
Prince Amadeo of Belgium and Lili Rosboch who announced their engagement on February 15th 2014
The king of the Belgians continued engagements linked to his interest in developing employment opportunities, particularly for young people when he visited a maritime organisation in Zeebrugge on February 12th 2014. King Philippe spent time talking to students and visited workshops.
King Philippe of the Belgians on his visit to Zeebrugge on February 12th 2014
The rest of the king's week was taken up with audiences. On February 10th 2014 he held his regular meeting with Belgian Prime Minister, Elio di Rupo, at the Royal Palace in Brussels. On February 13th 2014, at the Chateau of Laeken, he received the letters of credentials from the new ambassadors of Mexico, Belize, Oman, Somalia and India. On the same day, Queen Mathilde was in Ghent where she attended a performance of the ballet Romeo and Juliet. On February 11th 2014, the queen had been in Charleroi where she visited the Social Relay which helps people who are in distress or who have become homeless. Queen Mathilde met some of the public and private organisations involved in the service and some of the people who have used it. Its aim is to help people re-intergate in society.
Queen Mathilde of the Belgians at the Social Relay in Charleroi on February 11th 2014 where she learned about services to help people back into society
Prince Laurent of Belgium meets Mickey Mouse at the Belgian premiere of Saving Mr Banks in Brussels on February 10th 2014
On February 8th 2014, King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians attended a concert at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. The performance, of Peer Gynt by Edward Grieg, was organised by Youth Music and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Liege and is part of a programme to make orchestral music accessible to children.
The Netherlands
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima began their week in Sochi in Russia attending the Winter Olympics. The royal couple, who had arrived on February 7th 2014 for the opening ceremony, visited the athletes' village and toured the Olympic site on February 8th 2014.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima take a bike ride around the Olympic site at Sochi on February 8th 2014
The king and queen watched many of their country's athletes compete. On February 9th 2014, King Willem-Alexander presented Dutch speed skate, Sven Kramer, with Olympic gold after his victory in the 5000 metres. His compatriot, Jorrit Bergsma, won bronze in the same race.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands presenting Sven Kramer with his gold medal in the 5000 metres speed skating at Sochi on February 9th 2014
The king and queen were on hand to congratulate Michel Mulder of the Netherlands on his gold in the 500 metres speed skating on February 10th 2014.
Michel Mulder of the Netherlands is congratulated by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima after winning gold in the 500 metres speed skating on February 10th 2014
The king and queen returned to the Netherlands on February 11th 2014. On February 12th Queen Maxima opened a syposium on healthy eating and its links to weight at the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam. On February 13th 2014, the queen gave the opening address at a European conference at the Basle in Amsterdam on cultural education in primary schools. Later the same day, Queen Maxima opened an exhibition at the North Brabant Museum in s'Hertogenbosch featuring works by young people who might not necessarily get involved in art and who have been encouraged to enjoy creating to help them develop.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands opens a conference on healthy eating on February 12th 2014 in Rotterdam
Princess Beatrix attended the opening of a conference on Chinese Buddhism on February 12th 2014. It was held at Leiden University over three days.
Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands is presented with a book by Professor Jonathan Silk at the start of a three day conference on Chinese Buddhism on February 12th 2014
United Kingdom
The Queen returned to London from Sandringham on February 10th 2014, making the journey by train - she had begun her Christmas break in December 2013 by rail as well. The Duke of Edinburgh remained in Norfolk and on February 10th 2014, he held a dinner at Sandringham in his capacity as patron of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Queen Elizabeth II at King's Lynn station in Norfolk as she began her return to London on February 10th 2014
On her return, the Queen held a full day of audiences on February 11th 2014 at Buckingham Palace ending, in late afternoon, with a meeting of her Council. Just before that meeting, the Queen held an audience with the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg. On February 12th 2014, the Queen held an audience with the Prime Minister, David Cameron. On February 14th 2014, it was announced that the Queen had donated animal feed and bedding to flood hit farming communities as the crisis brought by heavy rain continued to affect their livelihoods. The Prince of Wales held an investiture at Buckingham Palace, on behalf of the Queen, on February 12th 2014.
The family of murdered school boy, Jimmy Mizen, at Buckingham Palace on February 12th 2014. Jimmy's mum and dad, Margaret and Barry Mizen, were awarded the MBE for their services to young people - they set up the Jimmy Mizen Foundation in memory of their son
The Prince of Wales held an audience at Clarence House on February 10th 2014 and later that day hosted a dinner to discuss the role of Capital Markets in creating a sustainable economy. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall marked Radio Day on February 11th 2014. The royal couple began their day at the BBC where they met staff at Radios 1,2,3 and 4 as well as the World Service. Later they visited commercial stations including Kiss FM, Heart FM and Classic FM.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at New Broadcasting House in London on February 11th 2014 where they met staff working at several BBC radio stations
On February 12th 2014, the Prince of Wales held a reception at St James Palace for 847 Naval Air Squadron on their return from Afghanistan and presented members with Operational Service Medals. That evening, joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, the prince hosted a reception for the Actors' Benevelent Fund of which he is patron. On February 13th 2014, the prince along with his two sons, William and Harry, attended the Illegal Wildlife Trade conference in London. The Prince of Wales made a speech in which he told the world leaders present that the scale of illegal poaching in some countries was unimaginable and that there was 'not a moment to lose' in the fight to protect some endangered species.
The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry of Wales arrive at the Illegal Wildlife Trade conference in London on February 13th 2014
The Duke of Cambridge had a string of engagements throughout the week linked the campaign to end wildlife crime. On February 9th 2014 he released a video, along with the Prince of Wales, in which the two future kings appealed to people around the world to help stop the illegal trade in animal parts that drives poaching. In the appeal, Prince Charles and Prince William spoke in six different languages.
Prince Charles and Prince William make their video appeal against poaching in a film released on February 9th 2014
The day before the film was released, it was reported that the Duke of Cambridge and his brother, Prince Harry, had been on a hunting holiday in Spain where they shot wild boar. The princes faced some criticism over the trip. Prince William next appeared in public on February 12th 2014 when he attended a symposium on ending wildlife crime at the Zoological Society of London. The same day he made a speech at a conference on wildlife at the Natural History Museum in London.
The Duke of Cambridge on his arrival at the symposium held by the Zoological Society of London on February 12th 2014
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge carried out her first public engagement of 2014 on February 11th when she attended a gala at the National Portrait Gallery, of which she is patron. Following reports that the Queen has asked Kate to wear more jewels to give her a more regal image, the duchess matched her Jenny Packham evening gown with the Nizam of Hyderbad necklace given to the then Princess Elizabeth as a wedding present in 1947.
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the National Portrait Gallery in London on February 11th 2014 for her first public engagement of the year
On February 14th 2014, the Duchess of Cambridge who is patron the charity Art Room opened another of their art therapy centres, this one based in Northolt in London.
The Duchess of Cambridge at the new Art Room facility in Northolt in London which she opened on February 14th 2014
On the same day, Prince William and Prince Harry were discovered by accident by reporters covering the floods in Berkshire. The royal brothers had joined the military in filling and distributing sand bags as another winter storm was forecast to hit the already badly flooded area. The princes are understood to have started work in Datchet at around 6am on February 14th 2014 and continued, even as the world's media descended on them after word of their involvement spread.
Prince William and Prince Harry help distribute sandbags in flood hit Berkshire on February 14th 2014
On February 12th 2014, the Duchess of Cornwall held an audience at Clarence House. The ducess visited Surrey on February 13th 2014. Her first engagement was at HMP Coldingley in Woking where she met prisoners taking part in a literacy programme to encourage dads to stay in touch with the children while they are in jail. The duchess then went on to Guildford where she spent time at the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre meeting volunteers who help people who have been attacked. The Duchess of Cornwall also had a private meeting with a rape survivor during her visit. Her engagements in Surrey ended with a visit to St Catharine's School in Bramley, Guildford which her great great grandfather, George Cubitt, helped found.
The Duchess of Cornwall meets a prisoner at Coldingley in Surrey on February 13th 2014 - he talked to the duchess about the literacy programme in the jail which encourages fathers to keep in touch with their children
The Duke of York visited Swindon on February 10th 2014 where he visited the University Technical College. The same day, the duke carried out several engagements in Bristol including a visit to IntoUniversity East and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory at the University of the West of England. On February 11th, the Duke of York in his capacity as patron of Action on Hearing Loss, visited the Ear Institute Programme at the University of London. Later that day, he held a meeting at Buckingham Palace for the Outward Bound Trust of which he is patron followed by a lunch for them. And he went on to hold a meeting to support the United Kingdom's Quantum Technology Strategy in his capacity as patron of the Royal Society. On February 12th 2014, the Duke of York opened a suite at Tollgate Primary School in east London and later presented the Tycoon in Schools awards at Buckingham Palace in his role as patron of the Peter Jones Foundation. He went on to visit the Government Digital Services that afternoon.
The Duke of York at the prize giving for Tycoons in Schools at Buckingham Palace on February 12th 2014
On February 10th 2014, the Earl of Wessex attended receptions at Buckingham Palace for young people who have won the Gold Award in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme. On the same day, the earl attended a dinner as part of his work with the International version of the scheme. The Countess of Wessex held a meeting on February 12th to promote the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in her capacity as chair of Women in Business. Later that same day, the countess visited a clinic for the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association in London. Children with the condition are sometimes called Butterfly children because this rare skin condition means their skin is as fragile as a butterfly's wing.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex at a DEBRA clinic in London on February 12th 2014
On February 13th 2014, the countess was in Oxfordshire where she visited the charity Parents and Children Together which works to help families through community projects as well as helping those involved in adoption and fostering. The countess was caught unawares by one little girl there. Five year old Nichaela Harris asked her what she kept in her handbag and the countess showed her some make up and a hankie that were nestling in her bag.
The Countess of Wessex shows off the contents of her handbag on a visit to Dorchester Abbey in Oxfordshire on February 13th 2014
The Princess Royal spent much of the week in Russia - she had arrived in Sochi on February 6th for an IOC meeting and to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The princess, with her husband Timothy Laurence, supported British athletes at the Games before travelling to Moscow for a series of engagements on February 12th 2014. Princess Anne laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame at the Kremlin Wall before unveiling a commemorative plaque remembering World War One at the British Embassy. She then visited St Andrew's Church in Moscow. The princess later visited the Jaguar Land Rover Show Room and moved on to the Yuri Gargarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. In the evening, Princess Anne attended a reception at the British Embassy to launch the Bilateral Year of Culture. The Princess Royal also held an investiture on behalf of the Queen.
The Princess Royal lays a wreath at the Eternal Flame in Moscow on February 12th 2014
Denmark
It was a quiet week for the Danish royal family. On February 13th 2014, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie posed for photographers alongside their family at the start of their skiing holiday in Villars sur Allon in Switzerland.
Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, Prince Nicholas, Prince Felix, Prince Henrik and Princess Athena of Denmark pose at the start of their skiing holiday in Switzerland on February 13th 2014
On February 14th 2014, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary along with their four children posed for photographers as they began their winter break in Verbier in Switzerland.
The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark with their children - Christian, Isabella and twins Vincent and Josephine - at the start of a skiing holiday in Switzerland on February 14th 2014
Monaco
Prince Albert II began the week in Sochi and then joined Princess Charlene, on February 9th, at the Louis II stadium in Monaco for a football match between AS Monaco and Paris St Germain which ended in a one one draw.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco at a football match on February 9th 2014
The prince then returned to Sochi to watch more of the sporting action at the Winter Olympics. He was joined by his nephew, Pierre Casiraghi, and his niece, Princess Alexandra of Hanover. And at the end of the week, February 13th 2014, he was photographed with Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway as both watched the games.
Prince Albert of Monaco and Crown Princess Haakon Magnus of Norway at the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 13th 2014
Sweden
On February 9th 2014, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia attended the Swedish premiere of a Mozart musical which was staged at the Hall of the Royal Palace. The performance of Mitridate, written by Mozart when he was fourteen, was recorded so it could be played in hospitals and homes for older people.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia meet performers at the premiere of Mitridate at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on February 9th 2014
King Carl XVI Gustaf held several audiences on February 11th 2014 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. He met Lars Kuntze, the chairman of the Swedish Lions, to hear about the fundraising work the organisation does - it has branches around the world. And the king also met Captain Johan Medin who is retiring as the Deputy Chief of Staff and his successor, Mathias Henrikson.
King Carl XVI Gustaf with the outgoing Deputy Chief of Staff and his successor at an audience on February 11th 2014 in Stockholm
On February 12th 2014, the king was in Solna where he visited the Swedish Space Corporation to hear about their work on space technology.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at the Swedish Space Corporation in Solna on February 12th 2014
The king and queen of Sweden meet the Chinese ambassador to their country, Chen Yuming, and his wife, Xiaomei Bai, at a reception on February 12th 2014
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia travelled to Sochi on February 14th for a three day visit to the Winter Olympics. On their arrival, they toured the Olympic village and met many of the Swedish athletes taking part before watching part of the ice skating competition in the evening.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden with two of their country's Olympians. Johan Olsson won silver and Daniel Richardson won bronze in the 15 kilometre cross country event
On February 13th 2014, Crown Princess Victoria held an audience at the Royal Palace in Stockholm for leaders of Friluftsframjandet, an open air organisation. On the same day, the princess inaugurated the newly renovated Central Station in Stockholm.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden unveils a bench at the newly renovated Stockholm Central Station which she inaugurated on February 13th 2014
On February 14th 2014, Crown Princess Victoria visited the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions to hear about work being done to tackle challenges in the welfare sector.
Crown Princess Victoria with Anders Knape, the chairman of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, which she visited on February 14th 2014
Norway
King Harald of Norway began his week with two audiences at the Royal Palace in Oslo where, on February 10th 2014, he met the Chief of the Joint Headquarters of the Armed Forces before receiving Brigader John Einar, Professor Per Holck and Harald Moberg. On February 13th, King Harald and Queen Sonja held an audience with Norway's Foreign Minister at the Royal Palace in Oslo before hosting a reception later that day for those receiving the King's Medal of Merit. On February 14th 2014, the Norwegian king held a Council of State at the Royal Palace in Oslo. The royal couple will travel to Sochi on February 17th to attend the Winter Olympics - Crown Prince Haakon Magnus spent much of the week there supporting Norwegian athletes.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway at the Sochi Winter Olympics. The prince arrived in Russia on February 10th 2014
The prince arrived on February 10th 2014. As well as attending much of the competition, he also visited the Olympic village to meet more of the Norwegian team on February 14th 2014.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus cheers on the Norwegian team during his visit to the Sochi Winter Olympics between February 10th and February 14th 2014
While in Sochi, the prince attended an event on February 12th 2014 marking two years until the start of the Youth Winter Olympics which will take place in Lillehammer in Norway in February 2016. The prince has been heavily involved in the event which will see 1100 athletes aged between 15 and 18 taking part in wide range of sports.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway with Thomas Back, president of the International Olympic Committee, on February 12th 2014 in Sochi at an event looking forward to the Lillehammer Youth Winter Olympics in 2016
On February 10th 2014, Crown Princess Mette-Marit attended the opening of a conference in Oslo on psychological health problems affecting people who have been addicted to drugs.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway in Oslo at a conference on psychological health on February 10th 2014
Later in the week, February 12th 2014, the princess was at an awards ceremony recognising work in the field of sustainable fashion where she presented prizes for progress in green issues. And on February 14th 2014, the princess presented the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award at a ceremony in Oslo.
Mette-Marit of Norway at a green fashion awards event on February 12th 2014
Spain
King Juan Carlos of Spain made his first official overseas visit since his two hip operations at the end of 2013 when he and Queen Sofia visited Lisbon for two days. The royal couple arrived on February 11th 2014 and attended a dinner given by the president of Portugal, Anibal Cavaco Silva, and his wife.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain at an official dinner in Lisbon on February 11th 2014
On February 12th 2014, the king attended the closing ceremony of the ninth meeting of Cotec Europa alongside the president of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, and the Portuguese president. Cotec began in Spain in the 1990s with Italy and Portugal joining in 2002 and 2003. It works towards development in the three countries and this meeting concentrated on re-industrialisation.
The king of Spain during his speech at the closing ceremony of the COTEC Europa meeting in Lisbon on February 12th 2014
The day before his departure for Portugal, February 10th 2014, the king held an audience with Hamadi Yebali, the former Prime Minister of Tunisia at the Zarzuela Palace. On his return from Lisbon the king held an audience on February 13th 2014 with representatives of the Presidents of the Conference of American Jewish Organisations in the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.
King Juan Carlos at his audience with the former Prime Minister of Tunisia, Hamadi Yebali, on February 10th 2014 in Madrid
Queen Sofia had started her week with a visit to a hospital in Madrid on February 11th 2014, just before she left for Portugal. The queen visited gynecology departments and childcare experts and saw some of the development work at the University Hospital of La Paz which has been funded by her Queen Sofia Foundation.
Queen Sofia of Spain at the University Hospital of La Paz in Madrid on February 11th 2014
On February 14th 2014, Queen Sofia visited the Madrid offices of the media group Servimedia which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The group focuses particularly on media related to social issues and was also formed to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilites - about 43% of its current workforce have a disability.
Queen Sofia of Spain pats a guide dog on her arrival at the offices of Servimedia in Madrid on February 14th 2014
On February 10th 2014, Prince Felipe held an audience with the Secretary of the US Navy, Ray Mabus, at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. On the following day, February 11th 2014, the prince was in Valencia to open a major fair on architecture and interior design.
The Prince of Asturias at the Feria de Valencia on February 11th 2014 where he opened a major event focusing on design
Later that day, the prince travelled to Zaragoza where he opened the FIMA 2014 event. The fair focuses on agricultural machinery.
Prince Felipe gets a closer look at some of the farm machinery on display at the fair he opened in Zaragoza on February 11th 2014
At the end of the week, on February 13th 2014, the Prince and Princess of Asturias opened the offices of the media organisation, EFE. The royal couple toured the building and, after signing the visitors' book, they were shown some of the organisation's archive photographs of the Spanish royal family.
Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias get a tour of some of the facilities of the new offices of the media organisation, EFE, which they opened in Madrid on February 13th 2014
Earlier in the week, the Princess of Asturias had held three audiences at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. On February 10th 2014, the princess met representatives from the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases, of which she is patron, and its Portuguese equivalent. She then met members of the Carmen Pardo-Valcarce Foundation which works to increase opportunities for people with learning difficulties. Later the same day, the princess held an audience with representatives of the Spanish Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Association. The syndrome affects development and growth.
The Princess of Asturias at her audience at the Zarzuela Palace on February 10th 2014 with representatives from the Spanish Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome Association
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